Device for storing a plurality of products separately and dispensing them simultaneously

ABSTRACT

A device for storing a plurality of products separately and dispensing them simultaneously comprises an outer jacket, at least one fragile inner container and means for applying fluid pressure to said container to implode it.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Bruno Morane Paris; CharlesPaoletti, Aulnny Sous Rois; Manlio Maurelli, Vanda-n; Louis Merrlen,Fontenay Sous Rois; Robert Sathleq, Vllleplnte, all of France [21] App1.No. 881,079

[22] Filed Dec. 1, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 [73] Assignee LOrealParis, France [32] Priorities Feb. 7, 1969 [3 3] France Dec. 11, 1968,France, No. 177690 [54] DEVICE FOR STORING A PLURALITY OF PRODUCTSSEPARATELY AND DISPENSING THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY 1 1 Claims, 5 DrawingFigs.

[51] Int. Cl 367d 5/56 [50] Field 01 Search 222/129, 81,132,145, 389, 3,5; 169/32, 27; 259/D1G. 20,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,630,942 3/1953 Shaffer239/309 X 1,976,074 10/1934 lddings et a1. 169/32 3,273,762 9/1966ONeill, Jr. 222/389 FOREiGN PATENTS 7,387 6/ 1906 Great Britain 169/32Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Edwin D. GrantAttorney-Holcombe, Wetherill & Brisebois ABSTRACT: A device for storinga plurality of products separately and dispensing them simultaneouslycomprises an outer jacket, at least one fragile inner container andmeans for applying fluid pressure to said container to implode it.

I Patented ncfzs, 1971 5 SheetsSheet 1 FIG.2

Patented Dec. 28,1971 3,630,415

5 Sheets-Sheet 2" Patel -nted Dec. 28, 1971 3,630,415

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 DEVICE FOR STORING A PLURALITY OF PRODUCTS SEPARATELYAND DISPENSING THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In thecosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and in the packaging of householdproducts it is often desirable to use simultaneously two products whichreact with each other when brought into contact. It is obvious that,during storage, it is impossible to permit this contact without risk ofproducing during storage the reaction which should instead take place atthe moment of use. These products are therefore commonly kept inseparate packages but this approach has the disadvantage or requiringthe user to bring the two containers holding the products to bedispensed into operation simultaneously.

- It is the object of the present invention to provide means forpackaging and using under pressure at least two products adapted to besimultaneously dispensed as a mixture but which must be separatelystored.

The device is filled by introducing at least one of the products to bedispensed into an outer jacket closed by a valve. At least one containerhaving rigid sides holding at least one product to be dispensedsimultaneously with the first product is then introduced into the outerjacket. The inner container or containers are, during storage, subjectedto the same internal pressure as the outer jacket. An excess pressure isproduced inside the outer jacket and outside the inner container whenthe products are to be dispensed, which pressure is sufficient to openthe inner container or containers by implosion. The assembly is thenshaken to mix the products from the container or containers and theouter jacket in a substantially homogeneous manner and the mixture isdispensed through the valve in the outer jacket in response to theinternal pressure within said outer jacket.

In a first embodiment of the invention the container or containersplaced inside the outer jacket are stationary and the container wallsare weakened at one point. When the products to be stored therein areintroduced, the pressure in the outer jacket is kept low enough so thatthe inner containers are capable of resisting this pressure. Preferablythe contents are under atmospheric pressure. when the products are to bedispensed, a certain quantity of propellant gas, which may or may not beliquefied, is injected from a conventional cartridge through the valvein the outer jacket. Injection of the propellant gas increases thepressure inside the outer jacket so that the weakened zone in thecontainer or containers within that jacket yields to the excesspressure. The user then turns the outer jacket upside down and shakes itto insure that the liquids initially contained in the container orcontainers and in the outer jacket are thoroughly mixed together.Finally, while still holding the jacket upside down, he actuates thevalve to dispense the desired mixture.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the outer jacket is equippedwith a mobile piston which is initially positioned in its lower part.The containers within the jacket are mounted on this piston and theirwalls comprise a zone of least resistance. A certain quantity of apropellant gas is introduced into the lower part of the outer jacketbeneath the movable piston. This gas may or may not be liquefied. Inthis embodiment the fluids to be stored are introduced into the outerjacket and into each of the containers carried by the movable piston.Pressure within the outer jacket is low enough that the walls of theinner containers are capable of resisting it. Preferably the pressure isatmospheric.

When the fluids in this device are to be dispensed, the propellant gasis introduced beneath the movable piston. This drives the movable pistontoward the top of the outer jacket until there is an equal pressure onboth sides of the movable piston and increases the pressure around thecontainers on the upper face of the piston so as to rupture the zones ofleast resistance in the walls of these containers. The user then turnsthe jacket upside down, shakes it to mix the various constituents, andactuates the valve to dispense the desired mixture.

In a variation of the second embodiment of the invention, the movablepiston may itself constitute a container and the shape of this containermay be such that it cooperates with a fixed member mounted in the outerjacket to better insure the mixing of the contents which are to besimultaneously dispensed. In order to introduce the propellant gasbeneath the movable piston it is possible to use a gas cartridge whichis independent of the apparatus, which cartridge supplies the outerjacket through a valve of the bottom thereof. However, it is generallypreferable to enclose the propellant gas in a chamber at the bottom ofthe outer jacket, (at the end opposite the valve). This chamber isprovided with a pin which may be operated from outside the jacket andbrings the chamber into communication with the inside of the jacket. Thepropellant gas may advantageously be a mixture of Freon l 1 and Freon 12which mixture is capable of producing inside the jacket a gauge pressureof the order of 2.5 kg./cm. at 20 C. It is obvious that it is alsopossible, within the scope of the invention, to leave the outer jacketfree of fluids to be dispensed while enclosing therein at least twocontainers, each of which holds one of the products to be simultaneouslydispensed.

It will be appreciated that the advantage of the above described deviceresides partly in the simplicity with which it may be filled andoperated and partly in the fact that the container holding the productis not subjected to any internal pressure during storage. Finally, thematerial of which the device is made is very simple and inexpensive.

In a first variation of the first embodiment of the invention thecontainer or containers inside the outer jacket are stationary and thedevice is operated by emptying the cartridge of pressurized gas into theouter jacket through the valve thereon.

In an especially advantageous form of this first variation the deviceaccording to the invention is essentially characterized by the fact thatthe rigid inner container is a bulb made of an easily broken materialwhich bulb is inserted in the outer jacket leaving a small annular zonebetween the walls of the bulb and the inner wall of the jacket, whichzone contains at least one of the products to be dispensed in liquidform while the bulb floats in this liquid.

In the aforementioned embodiment the bulb constituting the rigidenclosed container has walls of very thin glass. The outer jacketcomprises a chamber which holds a liquified pressurizing gas. Thischamber may be provided with a pin by means of which is may be broughtinto communication with the interior of the outer jacket. In a secondvariation of the second embodiment of the invention the container orcontainers are mounted on a movable piston which is slidable within theouter jacket, and this jacket is provided at its lower end with achamber which holds a propellant gas which may be brought intocommunication with the inside of the outer jacket by any suitable meansand in particular by means of a pin. When the outer jacket contains onlya single inner container this container may itself be so shaped as toact as a movable piston.

In an advantageous variation of this second embodiment the containeraccording to the invention is essentially characterized by the fact thatthe rigid closed container is formed from a bulb made of a fragileeasily broken material, which is attached to the upper surface of amovable piston which is slidable inside the outer container. The face ofthis piston is positioned near the bottom of the outer jacket and theupper face carries at least one of the products to be distributed.

In the case of the advantageous embodiment which has just been describedthe bulb attached to the upper surface of the piston is preferably madeof thin glass like that of an electric light bulb. This bulb is attachedto a fluidtight collar on the upper surface of the piston. The pistonconsists of a cylinder of flexible material inside which is a ring ofopen-cell foam material. A cartridge containing a liquefied pressurizinggas is positioned in the center of this ring. The bottom of the outerjacket is provided with a pin which may be actuated by the user, and iscapable of perforating the wall of said cartridge to liberate the gastherein when the base of the piston is close to the bottom of the outerjacket.

When the device according to the invention is used for dyeing hair, forexample, an aqueous solution of an oxidation dye is placed inside theouter jacket and the necessary quantity of an oxidizing agent such ashydrogen peroxide is introduced into the inner container.

In order that the invention may be better understood, five embodimentsthereof will now be described, purely by way of illustration andexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings on which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically in axial section one embodiment of the deviceaccording to the invention in which the outer jacket encloses a singlestationary container;

FIG. 2 shows schematically in axial section an embodiment of theinvention in which the outer jacket encloses a movable piston carryingtwo containers;

FIG. 3 shows in axial section an embodiment of the container accordingto the invention in which the outer jacket encloses a single movablecontainer which acts as a movable piston;

FIG. 4 shows schematically in axial section an embodiment of the deviceaccording to the invention in which the inner container is a bulb ofthin glass; and

FIG. 5 shows schematically in axial section an embodiment of theinvention in which the container is a glass bulb attached to the top ofa movable piston.

Referring now to the drawings, and especially to FIG. 1; it will be seenthat reference numeral 1 indicates the outer jacket as a whole andreference numeral 2 indicates the dispensing valve at the top of thisjacket. A cylindrical container 4 having a weakened zone 5 at its top ifmounted on the base 3. The container 4 holds a fluid 6 which is to bedispensed. The outer jacket 1 holds a fluid 7 which is also to bedispensed. The device shown in FIG. 1 is filled at atmospheric pressure.

When this device is to be used, a cartridge is applied to the valve 2.This cartridge contains a pressurizing gas which is a mixture of Freon ll and Freon 12 which is capable of producing a gauge pressure of 1.5kg./cm. at 20 C. The valve 2 and the valve 10 of the cartridge 8 areactuated to transfer the liquefied gas into jacket 1. When the pressureof the pressurizing gas is applied to the zone 5 of the container 4,this zone ruptures and the container 4 implodes. When the pressurizinggas has been completely transferred, the cartridge 8 is withdrawn, thejacket 1 is turned upside down, and shaken to insure mixing of thefluids 6 and 7. Then, while holding the jacket 1 upside down, the valve2 is actuated to dispense the mixture of 6 and 7 in response to thepressure of the pressurizing gas which has been injected into thejacket.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the secondembodiment of the invention also comprises an outer jacket 1 providedwith a valve 2 at its upper end.'The base 3 of the jacket 1 carries achamber 11 holding a pressurizing gas 12. The chamber 11 holds a pin 13the end 14 of which will pierce a diaphragm in order to bring the insideof the chamber 11 into communication with the inside of the jacket 1. Inthe jacket 1 is a movable piston 15 which carries two identicalcontainers 16 and 17. These containers are substantially cylindrical andhave weakened zones 16a and 17a respectively at their upper ends. Thesecontainers are mounted on the piston 15 and hold the fluids 16b and 17brespectively. The outer jacket also holds, above the piston 15, a fluid18 which is likewise to be dispensed.

When the device shown in FIG. 2 is to be used, the pin 13 is turned torupture the diaphragm, thus bringing the inside of the chamber intocommunication with the inside of the jacket I. The vapor tension of theliquefied gas 12 exerts pressure against the lower surface of themovable piston 15 which then compresses the gas initially contained inthe upper part of the jacket 1. The containers and the jackets wereinitially filled at atmospheric pressure and the gas in the upper partof the jacket 1 is thus at atmospheric pressure. The movement of thepiston therefore increases the pressure in the upper part of the jacket1 so that the weakened zones 16a and 17a give way, which results in theimplosion of the container 16 and 17. The user then turns the deviceupside down and shakes it to insure mixing of the fluids 16b, 17b and18. He holds the device in this position while the inixture is beingdispensed through the valve 2.

The embodiment illustrated on FIG. 3 is similar to that shown on FIG. 2but comprises a single movable container which itself constitutes amovable piston. The jacket of FIG. 3 comprises an outer casing 1provided with a dispensing valve 2 at its top. The base 3 of the jacketsupports a chamber 11 equipped with a pin 13, the upper end 14 of whichis adapted to perforate a diaphragm and thereby bring the interior ofthe chamber 11 into communication with the inside of the outer jacket 1.Above the chamber 1 is a movable container 19. This container iscylindrical in shape and its outer diameter is equal to the innerdiameter of the jacket 1. It is closed at its top by a diaphragm 20. Itscentral portion is conical as shown at 21. The jacket 1 carries at itsupper end a stationary member 22, the outer diameter of which is equalto the inner diameter of the container 19. The member 22 is providedwith a centering shoulder 23 at its upper end and a central recess 24which is substantially complementary to the conical part 21 of thecontainer 19. The recess 24 is closed at its bottom by a diaphragm 26.The member 22 comprises a groove 25 which extends longitudinally alongits outer wall, over the shoulder 23 and thence along a radius of themember 22 so that its inner end registers with the valve 2.

The device shown in FIG. 3 is filled at atmospheric pressure. One of thefluids to be dispensed is introduced into the container 19 which is thenclosed by means of the diaphragm 20; The second fluid to be dispensed isintroduced into the recess 24 in the member 22 which is then closed bythe. diaphragm 26.

When the device shown in FIG. 3 is to be used, the pin 13 is actuated tobring the inside of the chamber 11 into communication with the inside ofthe outer jacket 1. A pressure substantially equal to the pressure ofthe pressurizing gas in the chamber 11 is then exerted on the lowersurface of the container 19. In response to this pressure, the container19 moves toward the upper part of the jacket 1 and this movement causesthe container 19 and conical member 21 to compress the air between thediaphragms 20 and 26 thus exerting a pressure thereon which causes themto rupture. The fluids initially contained in the container 19 and therecess 24 are thus brought into contact. The user then shakes the deviceto insure a suitable mixture of these two fluids and dispenses thedesired mixture by pressing on the valve 2. The mixture passes outthrough the groove 25 and the valve 2. The arrangement of the groovemakes it possible to insure that the product distributed is an excellentmixture of the two products initially stored separately.

An example of the products which may be stored in a device according tothe invention will now be given. For this example the device shown inFIG. 3 of the drawings is used. The chamber 11 is filled with a mixtureof Freon l l and Freon l2 which is capable of producing a gauge pressureof 1.5 kg./cm. at 20 C. Forty cm. of the following mixture is introducedinto the container 19:

nonylphenol condensed with 4 molecules of ethylene oxide 23 g.nonylphenol condensed with 9 molecules of ethylene oxide 25 g. copradiethanolamide 6 g. butylglycol 2 g. propylene glycol l6 5. 20% ammonia12 ml. paratolylene diamine 0.9 g. para-aminephenol 0.9 g.m.diamine-anisol sulfate 0.06 g. m.aminophenol 0.2 g.

resorcinol 0.5 g. nitroparaphenylene diamine 0.002 g. hydroquinone O.l0g. sodium salt of diethylenetriamino-penta-acctic acid LS g. sodiumbisulfite 1.2 ml. water. q.s.p. I00 g.

After having inserted the container 19, closed by its diaphragm 20, inthe bottom of the jacket 1, 40 cm. of 6 percent hydrogen peroxide isintroduced into the recess 24 in the member 22 and fills the greaterpart of this recess. The device is used as indicated above and when thetwo liquids are mixed the resulting mixture is dispensed through thevalve 2. When this is applied to 70 percent white hair, the result is achestnut shade.

It is obvious that the devices according to the invention, such forexample as those shown on FIGS. l-3, may be utilized to hold all sortsof cosmetic, pharmaceutical or household cleaning products, such asregenerating capillary conditioning lotions, bleaching mixtures for thehair, skin dyes, permanent waving compositions, fixing agents,depilatories, and pharmaceutical products obtained from lyophylizledpowders. Moreover one of the products to be distributed in one of thecontainers or in the outer jacket may be a solid powder or a paste.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the outerjacket 1 carries at its upper end a dispensing valve 2and is closed atits lower end by a base 3 which carries a chamber having an upper wall19. This wall 19 is connected to the base 3 all around the periphery ofthat base and is attached to the jacket 1 by a double crimp. The chamberdefined between the walls 3 and 19 holds a pressurizing gas 20. At thecenter of the base 3 is a pin 13, the end 14 of which is adapted toperforate the wall 19.

The outer jacket 1 holds aliquid 7 which may be an aqueous solution ofoxidation dyes adapted to color the hair. The liquefied propellant gas20 may be butane or a gas of the Freon type. When the liquid 7 is anaqueous solution, the gas 20 should be incapable of reacting with water.

Inside the jacket 1 is a substantially spherical glass ball 21. Thisball is provided with a neck 22 through which a liquid 23 has beenintroduced. When the liquid 7 is an aqueous solution of oxidation dyesfor the hair, the liquid 23 is an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.The liquid 23 does not completely fill the ball 21. The diameter of theball is slightly less than the inner diameter of the cylinder whichconstitutes the outer jacket 1. The ball 21 is made of glass having athickness of about 0.25 mm.

The device shown in FIG. 4 is used in the following manner. The pin 13is caused to perforate the wall 19. The pressurizing gas escapes intothe jacket 1. The pressure which develops in the jacket 1 causes theball 21 to implode. The device is then shaken to insure homogenousmixture of the liquid 7 and 23 and the valve actuated to dispense thismixture in response to the pressure of the pressurizing gas.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the outer cylindricaljacket 1 carries a dispensing valve 2 at its upper and is closed at itslower end by a base 3. A pin 13 is mounted in the middle of the base 3.The lower end of a piston 24 is positioned near the base 3. This piston24 carries a flexible skirt 25 made of polyethylene. Inside the cylinderformed by the skirt 25 is an annular ring 26 made of foamed open-cellpolyurethane. In the central opening encircled by the ring 26 is acartridge 27 holding a liquefied pressurizing gas 28. The liquefied gasmay be butane or a Freon. At the top of the piston 24 is a collar 29encircling a central projection 30. The collar 29 carries a flange 31 atits upper end. In the annular zone between the collar 29 and theprojection is the neck 32 of a glass bulb similar to'thoseconventionally used in the manufacture of incandescent electric lamps.This bulb 33 is seated in a fluidtight manner on the projection 30 andheld in place by the flange 29. It holds a liquid 34. In the outerjacket 1 above the piston 24 is a liquid 35. When the liquid 35 is anaqueous solution of oxidation dyes for use on the hair, the

li uid 34 may be an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.

his device is operated in the following manner:

The wall of the cartridge 27 is perforated by the pin 13. Thepressurized gas 28 expands in the volume between the base 3 and thelower part of the piston 24. The resulting pressure forces the piston 24in the direction of the valve 2 so as to compress the fluids above thatpiston. This produces an implosion of the bulb 33. The device is thenshaken to mix the liquids 34 and 35. Subsequent operation of the valve 2dispenses the resulting mixture in response to the pressure generated bythe pressurizing gas 28 and transmitted through the piston 24.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments havebeen described purely by way of illustration and example and may bemodified as to detail without thereby departing from the basicprinciples of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Device for separately storing and simultaneously distributing aplurality of products comprising an outer jacket having a valve at oneend, at least one inner container having rigid walls within said jacket,and means for producing a fluid pressure within said jacket sufficientto implode at least one wall of said inner container and permit mixingof the contents of said container with the contents of said jacketoutside said container.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1 in which said container has a weakenedportion in its wall to facilitate said implosion.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 in which said valve is adapted to admitpressurizing fluid supplied by a cartridge as well as to dispense thecontents of said jacket and container.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a chamber within said jacketholding a pressurizing fluid, and means for rupturing said chamber.

5. Device as claimed in claim 1 in which said container is a ball madeof a fragile material which floats in the contents of thejacket.

6. Device as claimed in claim 5 in which aid ball is made of thin glass.

7. Device as claimed in claim 1 in which said at least one innercontainer is mounted on a piston which is slidable within said jacket.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7 in which said at least one innercontainer is a bulb made of a fragile material and said piston supports,on the side carrying said bulb, at least one of the products to bedispensed.

9. Device as claimed in claim 7 in which said piston is made of aflexible material and comprises a skirt holding a ring of resilientfoamed material encircling a cartridge containing a pressurizing gas,and said jacket carries means for rupturing said cartridge.

10. Device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of innercontainers, one of which constitutes a piston which is slidable withinsaid jacket and carries means facing the other container and adapted toenter said other container when they are brought together.

11. Device as claimed in claim 10 in which said containers are providedwith opposed rupturable diaphragms and one container is dimensioned toenter the other as they are brought together to force both diaphragmsinto said other container, and comprising a projection in said othercontainer positioned to be contacted by said diaphragms when they entersaid second container.

1. Device for separately storing and simultaneously distributing aplurality of products comprising an outer jacket having a valve at oneend, at least one inner container having rigid walls within said jacket,and means for producing a fluid pressure within said jacket sufficientto implode at least one wall of said inner container and permit mixingof the contents of said container with the contents of said jacketoutside said container.
 2. Device as claimed in claim 1 in which saidcontainer has a weakened portion in its wall to facilitate saidimplosion.
 3. Device as claimed in claim 1 in which said valve isadapted to admit pressurizing fluid supplied by a cartridge as well asto dispense the contents of said jacket and container.
 4. Device asclaimed in claim 1 comprising a chamber within said jacket holding apressurizing fluid, and means for rupturing said chamber.
 5. Device asclaimed in claim 1 in Which said container is a ball made of a fragilematerial which floats in the contents of the jacket.
 6. Device asclaimed in claim 5 in which aid ball is made of thin glass.
 7. Device asclaimed in claim 1 in which said at least one inner container is mountedon a piston which is slidable within said jacket.
 8. Device as claimedin claim 7 in which said at least one inner container is a bulb made ofa fragile material and said piston supports, on the side carrying saidbulb, at least one of the products to be dispensed.
 9. Device as claimedin claim 7 in which said piston is made of a flexible material andcomprises a skirt holding a ring of resilient foamed material encirclinga cartridge containing a pressurizing gas, and said jacket carries meansfor rupturing said cartridge.
 10. Device as claimed in claim 1comprising a plurality of inner containers, one of which constitutes apiston which is slidable within said jacket and carries means facing theother container and adapted to enter said other container when they arebrought together.
 11. Device as claimed in claim 10 in which saidcontainers are provided with opposed rupturable diaphragms and onecontainer is dimensioned to enter the other as they are brought togetherto force both diaphragms into said other container, and comprising aprojection in said other container positioned to be contacted by saiddiaphragms when they enter said second container.